There’s something timeless about a Classic Butter Cake. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and milk, this homemade cake has a soft, tender crumb and a rich buttery flavor that doesn’t need fancy frosting to be delicious.
It’s perfect for afternoon tea, family gatherings, birthdays, or simply when you want a comforting homemade dessert. Enjoy it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting and fresh fruit.
Ingredients
For the Butter Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla buttercream
- Caramel sauce
How to Make Classic Butter Cake
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Line the bottom with parchment paper for easier removal.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Place the softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
Beat for approximately 3–5 minutes, until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy.
This step is important because incorporating air into the butter helps create a lighter cake.
4. Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
5. Add the Flour and Milk
Add about one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Mix gently.
Add half of the milk and mix again.
Continue alternating the flour mixture and remaining milk, ending with the final portion of flour.
Mix only until the batter is smooth and combined.
Avoid overmixing.
6. Transfer to the Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Smooth the top with a spatula.
Gently tap the pan against the counter once or twice to remove any large air pockets.
7. Bake
Place the cake in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, depending on the size and depth of your pan.
The cake is ready when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool the Cake
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for approximately 10–15 minutes.
Carefully transfer it to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before frosting or slicing.
Tips for a Perfect Butter Cake
Use softened butter: Butter should be soft enough to press with your finger but not melted.
Use room-temperature eggs and milk: This helps the ingredients combine smoothly and promotes an even texture.
Cream the butter properly: Don’t rush the butter-and-sugar stage. A light, fluffy mixture helps produce a tender cake.
Measure flour carefully: Too much flour can make the cake heavy and dry.
Don’t overmix: Once the flour has been incorporated, stop mixing.
Don’t overbake: Start checking the cake a few minutes before the expected baking time.
How to Make the Cake Extra Moist
For an especially tender cake, avoid overbaking and use full-fat milk.
You can also replace a small portion of the milk with sour cream or plain yogurt. This creates a slightly richer crumb while adding moisture.
Easy Butter Cake Variations
Lemon Butter Cake
Add the finely grated zest of one lemon and replace 1 tablespoon of milk with fresh lemon juice.
Orange Butter Cake
Add 1–2 tablespoons of orange zest for a bright citrus flavor.
Chocolate Chip Butter Cake
Fold ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
Coconut Butter Cake
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the batter.
Almond Butter Cake
Add ½ teaspoon almond extract along with the vanilla and sprinkle sliced almonds over the top.
Berry Butter Cake
Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries.
Simple Frosting Ideas
Although this cake is delicious plain, it also makes a great base for frosting.
Try:
- Vanilla buttercream
- Chocolate buttercream
- Cream cheese frosting
- Whipped cream
- Lemon glaze
- Chocolate ganache
- Caramel frosting
For an elegant but simple finish, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar.
How to Serve Butter Cake
Serve slices at room temperature with:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Strawberry sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Chocolate sauce
A slightly warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes an especially comforting dessert.
How to Store Butter Cake
Once completely cooled, place the cake in an airtight container.
An unfrosted cake can generally be kept at room temperature for 2–3 days.
If topped with a perishable frosting, refrigerate it and allow slices to sit at room temperature briefly before serving.
Can You Freeze Butter Cake?
Yes.
Wrap the cooled cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my butter cake turn out dense?
Overmixing, too much flour, insufficient creaming of the butter and sugar, or expired leavening agents can all contribute to a dense cake.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.
Can I use oil instead of butter?
You can, but it will no longer have the same classic buttery flavor and texture. Butter is an important part of this recipe.
Can I make this cake in a loaf pan?
Yes. A loaf pan works, although the baking time will vary depending on its size and depth. Begin checking the center before the expected finishing time.
Can I make this cake without frosting?
Absolutely. This cake is flavorful enough to serve plain or simply dusted with powdered sugar.
How do I know when the cake is done?
Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
Final Thoughts
A good Classic Butter Cake doesn’t need complicated ingredients or elaborate decoration. The combination of real butter, vanilla, eggs, and milk creates a rich, tender cake that’s delicious on its own and versatile enough for almost any occasion.
Keep it simple with powdered sugar, add a favorite frosting, or serve it warm with fresh berries and ice cream. Once you master this basic recipe, you’ll have a dependable homemade cake you can make again and again.
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Tags: butter cake, butter cake recipe, classic cake, homemade cake, easy cake recipe, soft cake, tea time cake, vanilla cake